Bridge Navigator Coordinator - Upstate / 61143674

Job Responsibilities

Do you have a passion to provide meaningful work in the community? Would you like to be part of an organization whose central mission is helping to protect, stabilize and strengthen the lives of children, families, and vulnerable adults? Then the South Carolina Department of Social Services has the right job opportunity for you.

Job Duties:

• The Bridge Navigator Coordinator performs transitional support for current and former foster youth in the Extension of Foster Care (EFC) Program under the Transition Services and Support Division of Child Welfare Operations in accordance with DSS Policy, Mission and GPS Practice Model. The Bridge Navigator Coordinator will implement the utilizing of a youth centered approach to engage and partner with teens and older youth utilizing adolescent and emerging adult development, the impact of trauma, and methods/strategies to support young adult’s capacity to thrive and to provide a continuum of care in the areas of life skills development, self-sufficiency, stability, safety, permanency, and well-being. The Bridge Navigator Coordinator will be a broker of community partnerships and serve as a resource navigator.

• Collaborate with designated county foster care staff and regional TSS division staff on a monthly basis to ensure teen/young adults ages 14 until 18th birthday receive access to all assessment tools, including CANS, Transition Planning, and CFTM Transitional Teaming, to collaboratively develop an individualized and strength-based partnership with the young adult. Provide training and technical assistance to county and regional staff, providers, resource parents, and young people on appropriate planning, documentation, and provision of services. Utilize a teaming approach with staff, providers, and teen/young adults to ensure cross collaboration.

• Attend a current foster youth Transition Plan Meeting and support its facilitation prior to 17th and 18th birthday, supports youth voice, encourages EFC enrollment, shares Chafee, ETV, YEA!, and EFC benefits. Support CM with transition age youth services including relational permanency, education success, career pathway supports, and other life domain goals to achieve self-sufficiency. Provide opportunities to life skills development and connections to TSS division staff.

• Complete and maintain certification to be a Child Family Team Meeting (CFTM) facilitator to conduct EFC federally required Young Adult Transitional Teaming (YATT) every 6-month reviews for those enrolled in Extension of Foster Care. Uphold the policies and procedures for a permanency focused process and periodic case review of the status of each young adult in extension foster care, using an individualized, youth-guided, and strengths-based approach and provides a forum to create and sustain lifelong relationships and supportive adult teams.

• Establish community partnerships, through supporting and nurturing relationships with key internal and external stakeholders. Broker new partnerships within the communities that serves and further connects young adults to available resources. Represent TSS within the communities to share our mission and find services that meet the needs of the agency and young adults to support successful transition into adulthood. Provide Service Navigation to young adult by identifying community resources, assist with referral or application processes, obtaining timely, essential, and appropriate support resources based on the young adult’s assessment and plan. Follow up with received services, and ensure connection is solidified to the support services.

• Support Youth Engagement and YEA! Leadership development by participating in youth focused projects, activities, and events. Partner effectively with young people to support the development of strategies for developmentally appropriate and identity affirming youth engagement. Authentically engage with teen/young adults and provide ongoing assistance, training and transition support to teens/young adults that are receiving continuum of care services. Provide assistance, training, readiness workshops, webinars, and ongoing support to young adults in various life domains including, but not limited to life skills development, academic, vocational programs, employment, transportation, and housing stability.

• Complete all required trainings assigned by HR, SD&T, and supervisor, including adolescent training track for professional development of this role.

• Maintain an active routine of self-care and pursues support when necessary to minimize the threat of secondary trauma to physical and mental health.

• Ensure personal identifying information (PII) is properly used, accessed, gathered, shared and disposed. Protects the agency networks and applications by safeguarding systems, equipment and data.

• Perform Red Cross shelter duty or other emergency shelter duties/services as directed.

• Other duties as assigned

Minimum and Additional Requirements

A Master's Degree and one (1) year of professional experience in social services programs, correctional, education, business administration, general administrative management, or relevant program experience.

A Bachelor's Degree and three (3) years of professional experience in social services programs, correctional, education, business administration, general administrative management, or relevant program experience.

Preferred Qualifications

Child welfare experience.

Additional Comments

This application for employment with the SC Department of Social Services must be completed in its entirety. A resume may be included; but shall not be substituted in lieu of the completion of this application in part or in whole. "See Resume" is not acceptable information for the completion of any part of the requirements of this application. If such is submitted, this employment application will be considered incomplete and may not be forwarded as eligible for consideration to hiring managers.

Must possess a valid driver's license and have access to and be able to operate a motor vehicle. Individuals must comply with necessary field work assignments.

If you certify, by completion and submission of this application, that you possess educational credentials that qualify you for the available DSS positions, you will be required to provide a certified official transcript, if you are selected for job offer.

The South Carolina Department of Social Services offers an exceptional benefits package that includes:

• Health, Dental, Vision, Long Term Disability, and Life Insurance for Employee, Spouse, and Children
• 15 days annual (vacation) leave per year
• 15 days sick leave per year
• 13 paid holidays
• Paid Parental Leave
• State Retirement Plan and Deferred Compensation Programs

DIVISION: Child Welfare Services / Greenville County